Farmington Letters to the Editor

My attendance at the “public meetings” was initially as an interested citizen, but now my attention is fully focused as an involved citizen. The present policies of the Farmington Public Schools are alarming.

A massive transformation is underway like none other I have witnessed. The privatization of the school system is on a fast track that is breathtaking. This administration and its leadership care nothing for public input. Their attitude is “here, take this and like it.”

The cost savings can be compared to the Flint water crisis and the superintendent can be compared to an emergency manager. Hiding in plain sight is the dismantling of the school system and its demise in favor of profiteers. What exactly are the salaries of the owners of this custodial company? Why were they given the privilege of taking over custodial services?

All of this is beyond belief when FPS was just voted millions in operating funds..They were never voted the right to make the decisions they are making and they should be called to account in no uncertain terms.

A small but very powerful group of people are exercising powers that were never given to them.. They are dead set on remaking our schools into a business model that is, above all, misguided and incompatible with the historical mission and values of our educational system.

Mary M. Johnston

Farmington Hills

Armenians seek peace

This year marks the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. In 1915, over 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children were driven from their ancestral homelands and brutally murdered by order of the Ottoman Empire in Turkey. There hasn’t been a family living that was not affected by the Genocide, mine included. One hundred and one years later, we continue to seek answers, recognition, reparations but most importantly we continue to survive as a nation. On April 24, Armenians in Michigan and around the globe commemorated these atrocities as we have for over 100 years. Time does not heal all wounds — in fact since the Genocide occurred, Armenia and its people continue to face struggle after struggle, yet our leaders continue to take the side of commerce over historical facts. Violence between the Azeri Turks and Armenians need to end.

In 1990, Armenia declared independence from the Soviet Union. There was much to celebrate; as many of us only dreamed about a free and independent country. However, as we know, independence comes with a price—and Armenia’s economy is the victim this time.

A year later, the Nagorno-Karabagkh Republic became an independent region comprised of Armenians, who established their independence from Azerbaijan in a referendum, thus giving Nagorno-Karabakh Republic a border with Armenia to the west. A cease-fire between the Republic and Azerbaijan existed for several years, until this month.

On April 2, Azerbaijani forces launched a wide-scale attack along the full-length of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic border, specifically targeting civilian populations with heavy artillery, mortar and gunfire. Dozens are killed and wounded on both sides including an Armenian child. This breach of a cease fire between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan, which has been under the control of local Armenian forces military since a war ended in 1994 has had no resolution to date. This attack occurred only a day after President Aliyev visited with Vice President Biden in Washington DC.

As of the writing of this op-ed, a cease fire is in place, but the fragility of it is uneasy and the need for a strengthened cease fire must be in place to ensure that more lives are not lost.

Armenians continue to seek peace, yet fight to retain their own independence and spirit of survival while Azerbaijan and their partner Turkey attempt to wage a second Genocide.

We turn to our leaders in Washington, D.C., to condemn such violence so that we can eliminate such atrocities from happening again.

Ara Topouzian

Farmington Hills

Clarenceville kickoff thanks

As a proud Board of Directors, we would like to extend our appreciation and thanks to the many people who helped plan and attend our very successful Clarenceville Education Foundation Kickoff Celebration.

This event was held at Corsi’s Banquet Hall on May 5. Hosted by Livonia Mayor Dennis Wright, this event was a huge success! We could not have had a better emcee for our event. Thank you Bill Joyner for the wonderful job.

We would like to particularly acknowledge our Kickoff Committee: Paul Shepich, Shari Krazel, Cindy Immonen, Brett Gierak, John Shourd, Renee Sanchez, Joe Sanchez, Jazna Ealy, Brian Mahoney and Dan MacIver. Without their help, this event would not have been possible

It was certainly great to see so much support from our Clarenceville teachers, administration, staff members and alumni. With such a rich history in our district since 1837, this Foundation is bound to do great things.

Finally, appreciation and thanks go out to our community business leaders, elected officials, local service groups, arts organizations, and all of our other proud supporters. Your generous donations and time to attend our kickoff is much appreciated.

Clarenceville Education Foundation

Board of Directors

Unmitigated gall

We noted with interest that ex-Congressman Todd Courser and his sex toy, ex-Congress person Cindy Gamrat, have filed papers in federal court to sue the state of Michigan. These two have decided to sue for their emotional stress for over $500,000. The sheer audacity and unmitigated gall of these two just never ceases to amaze.

We do not care one wit about the sex lives of these two, but this affair and subsequent cover-up was while we were paying their legislative salaries. If either or both are successful with their lawsuit against the state, we again will pay for these two Republican, conservative Christians, who espouse traditional family values.

Let these two family values Christians explain their behavior to the seven children they have by separate spouses and spare the taxpayers any more expense.